The set was pretty, the fireworks were nice and the speaker was entertaining, Republicans said.

But Barack Obama still didn't prove he's ready to be leader of the free world, they said.

From McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds:

"Tonight, Americans witnessed a misleading speech that was so fundamentally at odds with the meager record of Barack Obama. When the temple comes down, the fireworks end, and the words are over, the facts remain: Senator Obama still has no record of bipartisanship, still opposes offshore drilling, still voted to raise taxes on those making just $42,000 per year, and still voted against funds for American troops in harm's way. The fact remains: Barack Obama is still not ready to be President."

And from former Congressman Bob Beauprez:

“The speech is over the fireworks have ended and the temple has been taken down," Beauprez said. " The speech that he gave was eloquent and lofty, but no matter how nice the words it does not change his meager record."